Rock Island Public Library2Go Becomes A Traveling WiFi Hotspot

To help fill the need for digital connectivity while library buildings are closed for COVID-19, the Rock Island Public Library is temporarily repurposing its Library2Go vehicle as a traveling hotspot.

Starting Tuesday, May 26, the mobile library will make stops Monday-Thursday in selected neighborhoods to provide mobile WiFi connections for up to 30 devices at a time. The new service assists Rock Island and Milan residents who need an internet connection to fill out the Census, apply for jobs, check on unemployment, or other tasks. There will be no public entry onto the vehicle.

Weekly WiFi stops include:

Mondays:

9:30 am to 11:30 am: Cascade Gardens Apartments, 655 Cascade Garden Dr Rock Island

2:00 to 4:00 pm, Longfellow Elementary, 4198 7^th Avenue, Rock Island

Tuesdays:

9:30 – 11:30 am: Century Woods Apartments, 1400 5th St, Rock Island

2:00 – 4:00 pm: Village Woods Apartments, 300 20^th Avenue W, Milan

Wednesdays:

9:30 – 11:30 am: Heather Ridge Apartments, 9500 14th St W, Rock Island

2:00 – 4:00 pm: Longfellow Elementary

Thursdays:

9:30 – 11:30 am: Cascade Gardens Apartments

2:00 – 4:00 pm: Maple Ridge Apartments, 3700 5^th Street

Fridays and Saturdays: No scheduled routes.

These stops provide WiFi access only. Participants may park or stand outside the vehicle, maintaining six-foot social distancing.

“Just text the phone number on our sign and you’ll receive the information to connect,” said Christina Nobiling, Rock Island Public Library Mobile Library coordinator. “We’re working with the Quad Cities Complete Count Committee to help the Quad Cities count in the 2020 Census, and this is a great opportunity to take a few minutes and fill out that form online,” she added.

For more details about Rock Island Public Library services and virtual events during the COVID-19 shutdown, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org or follow the Library social media pages on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.

Rock Island Public Library Imagine Your Story virtual summer reading challenges and events start June 1.

Rock Island Public Library2Go Becomes A Traveling WiFi Hotspot

Sean Leary

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.

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